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Thursday, August 30, 2012

When I was creating my bridal register, 6 years, scanning things things I thought I needed to have, things I couldn't live without, I scanned this tray and someone bought it for me. I have nearly donated it several times never filling it with cheese and using it to serve the many guests I knew I'd be entertaining.

Grace decided it was a suitable tray to tape some of her masterpieces from. If you need a reminder, Grace is quite fond of Scotch Tape.

The tray, however, does not like Scotch tape. Some of it's faux wood covering came off with the Scotch tape so it was time for a makeover.

I bought these botanical prints from a flea market for $1 each. I've had them for awhile and finally decided to use them...

in the tray.

The newly spray painted black tray.

And now, that tray I had to have, 6 years later, has finally become something I can't live without.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Some days at Goodwill can be hit or miss. I'll be the first to admit that. The pricing can be inconsistent. There are days I am shocked at how much something donated can be priced and then there are days when I stare at the price tag in disbelief at what an unbelievable deal has crossed my path.

This past month, I was fortunately to find some really incredible deals. This chair, was only $3.99. If you haven't already check out the transformation she underwent, take a minute and see what she looks like now.

Another incredible deal, a stainless steel tray for .99 cents. Yes, less than a dollar. I suspect this was because it wasn't stamped with a brand, so the person pricing wasn't sure if was stainless steel or not. I also got the bluish green glass dispenser for .99 cents. I loved the color.

I've been combing the aisles of Goodwill for some games, I'm participating in His and Her's Random Act of Craftiness. The first challenge is creating something original out of game pieces. The Scrabble game pieces are NOT allowed in the challenge and, of course, for the first time ever, I found a Scrabble game for $1.99 and couldn't pass it up. I have so many things pinned that require Scrabble tiles. I also picked up PIT, which had a very retro feel to it. I am still trying to figure out how to create something original out of it, for the challenge, but for .99 cents, even if I don't, it wasn't that much.

No trip to Goodwill is complete without checking out the little girl clothes. I found a Christmas dress for Grace for $3.99.

And, a poodle shirt $2.99 on half off yellow ticket day so we bought it for $1.50.
*Check out your Goodwill and see what deals they offer throughout the month. The Goodwills I shop at offer half off a certain color price tag on the 15th of every month.

We also, always check out their Barbie and stuffed animal collection. Grace picked out a Steiff lamb for .49 cents. I had never heard of Steiff before but apparently they have made some very expensive, high quality and collectible stuffed animals. A thorough wipe of stuffed animals with a disinfectant wipe, followed by a tumble in the dryer set on high, should provide a good cleaning of most stuffed animals.

And, there is always a stop in the big girl clothing section as well. When I see a dress like this at Goodwill, I try and remind myself that I am a stay at home mom and that I don't really need to add this to my cart. This dress was missing the belt and had some separation at the seam line under the arm {which I can easily repair} SO I pointed out the flaws to a manager and they took 50% off the price. For $2.50, this stay at home mom can justify this beauty hanging in her closet.
*It never hurts to point out things the person pricing an item may have missed, for example any flaws, to try and get it for a better price.

Last, but not least, I found these little jars with airtight sealing tops. They were .49 cents a piece.

Goodwill stores are gearing up for Halloween. It's their BIG season. They save all of the costumes and decorations that are donated throughout the year and put it out about a month before Halloween. So, if you are in need for inspiration, decorations or a costume, head out to your local Goodwill in the next few weeks and see what deals you can find.

Monday, August 27, 2012

A few weeks ago, from across a crowded Goodwill, my eyes locked on a beautiful chair. In disbelief, I noticed the $3.99 price tag. This chair's fate was sealed and I brought her home.

When my husband came home from work, I proudly showed off my new chair and he responded, 'oh, you bought a chair'. He obviously was not impressed.

A coat of white furniture paint, some new Tiffany blue fabric and a few weeks later, there is no denying her beauty now.

I put my piping skills to the test and learned a lot of lessons along the way.

Lessons learned from a first time reupholstering project.

1. Take lots of pictures as you disassemble your piece of furniture. When the time comes to reupholster your piece, the pictures can act as a guide to reminding you where things had been before.

2. Keep the fabric you remove intact and in one piece. This will provide a pattern for cutting the replacement material. *The old fabric may have been cut or trimmed after it was stapled into place SO when cutting out your new material do not cut to the exact size of the piece you removed, cut the new piece bigger than the old piece. *I learned this lesson the hard way.

3. A normal staple gun will not attach the fabric as securely as needed. An electric staple gun provides the power necessary to securely attach the fabric to the chair.

4. Some husbands and wives craft together peacefully and cohesively. Should a fight break out between you and your husband, who you have convinced to help you with the electric staple gun, enjoy the guilt flowers that will follow.

The purchase price of the chair: $3.99
Used furniture paint we already had: $0
A yard of Tiffany blue fabric: $9
A second yard of Tiffany blue fabric: $9 *refer to tip #2
Button Covers: $7

Thursday, August 23, 2012

If you are new to my blog, I have a confession, or perhaps a plea for help...

I may need a pillow making intervention.

The pillows above are just some of the pillows I've made and then remade and may even have remade again over the past year.

This pillow, though, was for my husband.

Really.

His grandpa worked for Pfister Hybrids his entire life.

When we came across this grain sack for $3, at a flea market, family history compelled us to buy it.

When I got it home, I ripped the seams of the sack apart and set about making another pillow...for my husband.

I used a pillow, I had previously made, as a guide for cutting. Not wanting to waste a bit of this sack, I was able to use what was printed on the back of the sack for the envelope closure on the back of the pillow.

And, then there was piping. Piping draws me in, in ways I just cannot explain. It's part of the pillow making addiction.

And just like that, another pillow was created...

For my husband :)

I have a detailed tutorial on making pillows and piping if you have now been afflicted with the pillow making disease.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

It seems like everywhere I turn, babies are being born or are approaching their first birthdays. It got me to thinking about first birthdays in my family...

Our family has a first birthday tradition that has survived several generations. The way it works, in front of the birthday child you set a shot glass, a bible and a silver dollar. Whichever object the child selects, in theory, is supposed to predict the type of life they will live.

If the shot glass is selected, their life will be filled with drink and merriment. Yours truly selected the shot glass...

In testing the theory, would I consider my life to be filled with drink and merriment...um, let me have another sip of my wine while I think about that {just kidding}.

If the silver dollar is selected, their life will be filled with great wealth. Let's hope this theory holds true because for Grace's first birthday she grabbed onto the silver dollar and wouldn't let go.

If the bible is selected, they will life a virtuous life. Sadly, it appears that no one in my family will be living a virtuous life.

Perhaps you've heard of this tradition {I know I can't be alone} or maybe you have your own unique traditions. In either case, I'd love to be inspired by your birthday traditions, so feel free to share them.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Why you shouldn't take your 4 year old shopping for Daddy's new underwear.

Last weekend, the family did a little shopping. My husband bought a package of new underwear, one of which happened to be really blue.

Grace has been fascinated that there is a pair of bright blue underwear in our house. She has been asking about them every since they were purchased.

This morning, Grace woke up asking about what crimes the blue underwear fought last night.

Hmm.

I realized a call to my husband was required to clear things up.

Apparently, last night's bedtime story was about the crime fighting blue underwear that flies through the air looking for bad guys. When a perpetrator is spotted, the underpants cover the perpetrators head OR wind themselves in their feet, restraining them until the police arrive.

Yes. The world is a now a safer place...

thanks to my husband's underpants :)

And, yes...this blogger did stage a photo session with the crime fighting underwear. The things I will do for the sake of blogging :)

About Me

Adjusting to life since being laid off. When days used to consist of business deals and wearing heels. Now that I am a stay at home mom, in addition to taking care of my adorable little girl, I am learning more about cooking, crafting and creating while realizing that even though I am a stay at home mom, I can still wear my heels!

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